Giants' Affeldt Visits Bryan Stow At Hospital
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- The Giants fan who was brutally beaten at Dodger Stadium received a surprise visit at the hospital Tuesday from San Francisco reliever Jeremy Affeldt and was presented with a banner from the team.
Affeldt shared a prayer with Bryan Stow at his hospital bed at the San Francisco hospital. He also met with Stow's family, giving them Giants apparel and trying to lift their spirits before an emotional visit with Stow in the intensive care unit.
>>Bryan Stow's Family Sues Dodgers
"I grabbed his hand, told him who I was and prayed with him a little bit and encouraged him," Affeldt said. "His eyes opened up, and I think he kind of looked over my way. I don't what that is or isn't, but I was able to do that and get more of what was going on and what had taken place.
"So, for me, it was a big deal."
Affeldt had addressed fans along with Dodgers second baseman Jamey Carroll before a game between the teams shortly after the attack, telling the crowd violence has no place in the storied rivalry. He said he felt compelled to meet with the family afterward and wasn't out for any publicity.
"I figure if I talk about a team, I represent the team. If I talk about a family, I represent the family. Well, I never met the family," Affeldt said.
The 42-year-old Stow remains in critical but stable condition and is under heavy sedation to prevent seizures caused by the traumatic brain injury from the March 31 attack. Police arrested suspect Giovanni Ramirez over the weekend but charges have not yet been filed against him.
Affeldt first tried to meet with Stow at a Los Angeles hospital when the Giants played the Dodgers again earlier this month, but Stow was being transferred back to the San Francisco area. Tuesday, Affeldt met with Stow's parents, sister and cousin for about 30 minutes before making his way down to the intensive care unit.
He said he has a better understanding of what happened and the impact it has had on the Stow family. Affeldt said he and the Giants hope to do more for the Stow family in the future.
"It was tough to take in at first. It was pretty shocking to see. Just seeing what took place and seeing him there, for me it was an eye-opener," he said. "It kind of put me in an interesting mood. You're a little humbled, a little melancholy mood. It shows you there's more to life than this game."
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